NFL running back Kenyan Drake appears to be one of the few who supported the league’s ban on hip-drop tackles on Monday.
Drake wrote in X that his tackling technique was the reason why he lost several games during the 2021 season, his first year with the Las Vegas Raiders. He reposted the play on social media platforms to get his point across.
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Injured Las Vegas Raiders running back Kenya Drake, No. 23, is carted onto the field during a game against the Washington Football Team at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on December 5, 2021. left. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
“I don’t care what people think,” he wrote. “I lost my right ankle and a quarter of my ’21 season on this kind of tackle. I’m glad it wasn’t anyone’s foot/ankle anymore because something had to be there.”
This technique was apparently used to knock Drake to the ground in a game against the Washington Football Team. He was also hit by two other players. He had one rushing attempt and one catch in that game, but was unable to play for the rest of the season.
“Graphic video warning: #NFL needs to consider this particular style of tackling,” he wrote to X in December 2021. “They’re throwing flags to taunt and protect the QBS from touching them, but I’ve been injured for two seasons in a row now.” A man pulled me backwards and used his weight to protect me from being touched. and tried to wrap my legs up. ”
Las Vegas Raiders running back Kenya Drake leaves the field after warming up before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Allegiant Stadium on November 21, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Chris Unger/Getty Images)
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NFL team owners unanimously approved the rule change.
If the rule is violated, players will be assessed a 15-yard penalty and may be fined. NFL executive Jeff Miller said the hip-drop tackle was used 230 times last season, resulting in at least 15 players missing time due to injury.
The NFL Players Association opposes this rule.
“It’s not something that’s used often, but when it is, it’s incredibly damaging to runners,” said Rich McKay, chairman of the NFL Competition Committee. “Runners are completely vulnerable.
Atlanta Falcons CEO and Competition looks on as NFL Executive Vice President of Communications Jeff Miller addresses reporters about rule changes during the NFL Owners Conference on Monday, March 25, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. Committee Chair Rich McKay (left). (AP Photo/Ferrand M. Ebenhack)
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“And I’ve heard defenders say that before: ‘Hey, you’re putting me in a really tough position. You’re telling me I can’t hit here. What do I do? ‘And my response was always, ‘Well, you can’t do that. That’s because the person you’re hitting is defenseless and has no way to defend himself.’ So we have to protect him, and You have to come up with another way, and you know, they do. ”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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